Escalator cleaner

ABSTRACT

AN IMPROVED VACUUM CLEANING MACHINE IS DESCRIBED HEREIN WHICH MAY BE WHEELED TO A POSITION OVER THE MOVING PLATFORM OF AN ESCALATOR, AND WHICH FUNCTIONS IN AN IMPROVED MANNER TO CLEAN THE ESCALATOR AS IT MOVES UNDER A ROTATING CLEANING BRUSH OF THE MACHINE.

n. om.: l 3,559,230 lscm'rn (mman zt.- mfr '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 rma' umn 24. me

v,505 I f,

l l I, I

j ,4free/var R. R; OGLE EscALAToR cLEANE 1 Feb.` 2.,-"1911 7 Sheets-Sheet 8 mea umn 24. 1969 Feb.` 21,1971 R. n. oel.: 3,559,230 y EscALAfroR CLEANER Filed laren 24, 196e v sheets-sheet s Arme/vf( Feb.4 2, '1971 R. R, OGLE I EscALAToR cLEANER 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed march 24, 1969 R.` R. QGLE ESCALATOR CLEANER Fenz, 1971 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 24. 1969 w, www ,M 7 MLA; e w .w Z 4 n ya, 3 a M y.

Feb. 2,'1971 R. R. OGLE I EscALAToR CLEANER 7 SheetsSheet 6 med Maren 24, 196s United States Patent O 3,559,230 ESCALATOR CLEANER Robert R. Ogle, 666 N. Park Ave., Pomona, Calif. 91617 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 667,574,

Sept. 13, 1967. This application Mar. 24, 1969,

Ser. No. 814,504

Int. Cl. A47l 7/02 U.S. Cl. -302 5 Claims ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE An improved vacuum cleaning machine is described herein which may be wheeled to a position over the moving platform of an escalator; and which functions in an improved manner to clean the escalator as it moves under a rotating cleaning brush of the machine.

This application is a continuation-impart of copending application Ser. No. 667,574, which 'Was filed Sept. 13, 1967, in the name of the present inventor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It has long been the practice to clean escalators by hand. However, this is a tiring and difficult operation, as it usually requires about six or seven hours to clean a typical escalator manually. As a comparison, the Various ernbodiments of the machine of the present invention are capable -of performing a thorough and complete cleaning job in from fteen to twenty minutes with very little eiort on the part of the operator.

Machines have been proposed in the past for cleaning escalators. However, because of the serrated conguration and peculiar shape of the usual escalator step, the prior art machines, for the most part, have been unable to accomplish a thorough or even satisfactory cleaning of the escalator. Moreover, the` prior art machines are for the most part unduly complicated, diicult to handle, and slow in carrying out the -required cleaning operation.

The cleaning machine of the present invention, on the other hand, is simple in its construction and easy to operate. Furthermore, the machine of the present invention is capable of thoroughly cleaning an escalator in a relatively short time.

The machine of the present invention is constructed so that it may be wheeled to a position in which its forward end and rotary cleaning brush project over the moving platform, for example, at the top of an escalator. When the machine is in such -a position, its wheels may be retracted, and the frame thereof is lowered down into an operating position with its rotary brushes in cleaning relationship with the escalator platform.

In a manner to be described, the rotary brush of the cleaning machine is lowered in place across the escalator platform so that the bristles of the brush extend down between the serrations of the platform. Themachine may then be activated to drive the rotary brush and, in some embodiments, subsequently to direct water and detergent spray down into the escalator platform in front of the brushes. For many operations, however, it has been found that there is no need for the water or detergent sprays, and the brush itself is capable of cleaning the escalator to a bright and shining finish.

The cleaning machine to be described includes in its various embodiments, a main rotary brush which is surrounded by a hood, and a vacuum is established across a transverse slot within the hood and in front of the brush. Certain embodiments include auxiliary brushes, which also lwill be described, and which are also equipped with appropriate hoods and transverse slots. The vacuum estab- 3,559,230 Patented Feb. Z., 1971 lished in the machine serves to draw the dust, dirt and muddy water scrubbed from the escalator by the brushes up into the transverse slots and into a dirt compartment in the machine.

The cleaning machine of the present invention has been found to operate efficiently to clean escalators rapidly and thoroughly. Unli-ke the prior art machines, the rotary brushes of the machine of the present invention have been found capable of scrubbing the escalator clean; and the vacuum pressure in the transverse slots in the surrounding hoods has been found capable of drawing all dirt, as well as water, mud and detergent from the brush and escalator through the slots and into the aforesaid dirt compartment.

A eXible squeegee type of rubber guard may be mounted across the front of the main hood, and this guard extends down from the hood in front of the brush to the top surface of the escalator platform. The guard prevents splashing of the dirt, detergent and water during the operation of the machine, and helps to direct all the dirt and other extraneous matter into the interior of the hood so that such dirt Iand matter may be dra'wn into the aforesaid dirt compartment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides an escalator cleaning machine which is mounted on retractable wheels, and Iwhich has a forward portion capable of extending over the platform of an escalator. As will be described, the machine is capable of being lowered down into an operating position after it has been wheeled over the escalator platform. The machine includes a main rotary brush and a main hood surrounding the brush, the brush and hood being mounted on the frame of the machine. In some embodiments, the main brush and hood are mounted to be adjustably lowered, and in others the entire frame may be adjustably lowered, so that the main brush may be pre cisely positioned with its lbristles extending down into the serrations of the escalator platform. Some embodiments of the machine include a detergent spray, as mentioned above. iCertain embodiments of the machine also include auxiliary brushes adjacent the main brush which may be laterally adjustable, so that the entire width of the escalator may be cleaned in one pass.

The machine of the invention also includes appropriate combined or separate drive means which rotatably drives the aforesaid rotary brushes and |which, in certain embodiments, also drives a detergent pump. The pump is fused to provide the aforesaid detergent Iand water spray at the front of the unit. A second motor may also be included in the machine which drives a vacuum pump which, in turn, serves to draw dirt and other extraneous matter through the transverse slots in the main and auxiliary hoods, and into the dirt compartment of the machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the invention in place with its forward end protruding over a movable escalator platform at the top of an escalator;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the machine of FIG. 1 with its rotary cleaning brush Withdrawn to its up position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the machine of IFIG. l; and with its rotary cleaning brush down in the operating position shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 44 is a fragmentary perspective view of a control mechanism which may be included in the machine in FIG. 1, this view being helpful in explaining the function and operation of the control mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the control mechanism which controls the retractable wheels in the machine of FIG. l;

IFIG. 6 is a fragmentary view showing the rotary brush which is used in the machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a cross section taken substantially along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the rotary brush of the machine, and showing a modified drive for the brush;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of a modified embodiment of the machine with a portion of the side being broken away to reveal some of the internal components of the machine;

FIG. 10 is a front and side perspective of yet another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the machine of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the machine of FIG. 10, partially broken away to reveal some of the internal operating components;

FIG. 13 is a perspective and somewhat schematic representation showing the manner in which certain auxiliary brushes are controlled in the machine of FIG. 10 so that they may be shifted laterally to accommodate different escalator widths; and

FIG. 1-4 is a perspective of certain filters which are included in the machine of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS The cleaning apparatus in the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 1-7 includes a frame which supports a plurality of rigid feet 10, and which extend down from the frame. The frame also supports a pair of retractable wheels 12, as well as a retractable swivel wheel 14, all these components being best illustrated in FIG. 5. A retracting control mechanism 16 is coupled to the wheels 12 and 14, and this mechanism may be operated so as to retract the wheels and cause the machine to move downwardly and come to rest on the rigid feet 10. The wheel retracting mechanism includes a lead screw 18 with a control handle 20 at one end. When the handle 20 is turned, the lead screw l18 turns in a threaded bracket 22, and moves the retracting mechanism backward or forward so as to cause the wheels 12 and 14 to move downwardly, or to retract.

A brush assembly 24 (FIG. 3) is pivotally mounted at the forward end of the frame on a shaft 26. The shaft 26 extends between a pair of brackets 28 which are mounted on the frame of the machine. The brush assembly includes a rotary brush 30, and it also includes a cylindrical shaped hood, or cowl 32. The brush 30 and the hood 32 are pivoted to the shaft 26, so that both may be moved as a unit upwardly or downwardly with respect to the frame of the machine.

A second control mechanism is coupled to the brush assembly unit 24, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. This second control mechanism includes a crank arm 34, which is pivotally mounted to one side of the frame of the machine. A rod 36 couples one end of the crank arm 34 to a control handle 38. The control handle 38 is pivoted to the rear end of the frame, and it may be manipulated by the operator to adjust the position of the brush 30 and its hood 32. The other end of the crank arm 34 is coupled by a connecting rod 30 to a bracket 42 in the upper end of the hood 32. When the control handle 38 is pulled back, the brush assembly unit 24, including the brush 30 and its hood 32, are moved to a stand-by position, as shown in FIG. 2. Then, when the control handle 38 is moved forwardly, the brush assembly 24 is moved down to its cleaning position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

An appropriate spring loaded latch 44 is provided to hold the brush assembly in its up position of IFIG. 2. When the latch 44 is released, and the handle 38 moved to the forward position, the brush assembly 24 is moved down so that the brush 30 may extend across the escalator platform 48, for example, in proper position with its bristles extending down into the serrations of the platform, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and in a scrubbing relationship with the platform.

It will be noted that the forward end of the crank arm 34 is provided with a slot 34a for one end of the connecting rod 40, whereas the bracket 42 on the top of the hood 32 is provided with a slot 42a for the other end of the connecting rod. These Slots permit appropriate adjustments to be made of the connecting rod 40, so that the brush assembly 24 will assume a proper position for the particular escalator structure with which the machine is being used at any particular time.

A handle is provided at the rear end of the machine to permit the operator to wheel the machine into position. An appropriate light 52 may be mounted at the forward end of the machine. The machine also includes, for example, a compartment 54 at its forward end which may be termed the dirt compartment. A duct which extends around the inner surface of the front half of the hood 32 is coupled to the interior of the dirt compartment I54 by means, for example, of a pair of flexible hoses 56. The aforesaid duct terminates in a transverse slot in the front of the brush 30 and adjacent the forward end of the hood.

A motor compartment 58 is provided on top of the dirt compartment 54, and a vacuum motor 60 is housed within the compartment 58. The vacuum motor 60 has an inlet 62 which extends down into the dirt compartment 54 so that the desired vacuum may be developed in the transverse slot in the hood 32. An appropriate filter 64 is provided across the top of the compartment 54 so as to retain dirt in the compartment.

The machine also includes a detergent and water tank 66, and detergent and water may be poured into the tank 66 through a filler cap 68. Appropriate drain plugs 70 and 72 are provided for the compartment 54 and for the tank 66. The detergent and water tank 66 is coupled through a flexible conduit 76 to a pump 78. A further flexible conduit 80 couples the outlet of the detergent pump 78 to a group of spray nozzles 82 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) which are positioned on the front of the hood 32. The detergent pump 78 serves to pump detergent and water under pressure from the tank 66 to the spray nozzles 82, so that the detergent and water may be sprayed onto the top surface of the escalator platform 48 in front of the cleaning machine and before the platform moves under the brush 30.

A rubber squeegee type of flexible guard 86 is mounted across the front of the hood 32, and this guard bears against the top surface of the escalator platform 48. The guard 86 serves to protect the surrounding area from being splashed by the action of the brush 30, and to direct the dirty water from the brush into the slot in the hood 32.

The brush 30 is rotatably driven, for example, by a motor 88 (FIGS. 1 and 3), and this motor may also be used to drive the detergent pump 78. The motor 28 is coupled to the rotary brush 30 through a chain 90 which is coupled to a sprocket 92 on the shaft 26. A second chain 94 extends from a second sprocket 96 to a sprocket 98 on the shaft 100 which supports the brush 30.

As best shown in FIG. l, an electric control panel 104 is provided at the rear of the machine. The controls for the various pumps and motors are mounted on this control panel.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the brush 30 may be divided in two parts, one on each side of the drive sprocket 98. The two parts may be in the form of extrusions. They are mounted, for example, on a hub 106, and are supported around the hub by means of appropriate brackets 108. The brushes themselves, as shown as in FIG. 6, are tted into longitudinal slots in the extrusions. A pair of guides 114 (FIG. 6) prevents the bristles of the brushes from interfering with the action of the chain 94 and sprocket 98.

When the machine is to be operated, it is rolled into a position so that its forward end extends over the top platform of the escalator, and so that its brush 30 extends across the platform, as shown in FIG. 1. Then, the retracting mechanism 16 is operated and the frame of the machine is lowered down on its rigid feet 10. The feet are displaced to the rear of the escalator as shown, so that they may engage the floor adjacent the escalator platform. The latch 44 is released, and the handle 38 is moved forward, so as to lower the brush 30 and its hood 32 down on the platform of the escalator from the position shown in FIG. 2, to the position shown in FIGS. l and 3. An adjustment may be made for the connecting rod 40 within the slots 34a and 42a of FIG. 3, so that the brush 30 will properly engage the platform 38 of the particular escalator being cleaned at that particular time.

The vacuum motor 30 is turned on, and the motor 88 may then be energized to rotate the brush 30 and to start the detergent pump 78. Assuming that the tank 66 is lled with water and detergent, or other appropriate cleaning fluid, the pump 78 causes a spray of detergent and water to be emitted from the nozzles 82, and it also causes the brush 30 to rotate. The brush 30 rotates, for example, at around ninety revolutions per minute, and in a clockwise direction in FIG. 3, against the movement of the escalator platform.

As the brush 30 rotates, it sweeps dirt into the aforesaid transverse slot in its hood 32, and the dirt is drawn by the vacuum motor 60 into the dirt compartment 54 of the machine. It is usual to sweep the escalator first with the brush 30 rotating without the detergent and water, and then to turn on the water and detergent for a subsequent pass so that the machine may thoroughly clean the escalator. During the latter operation, the resulting dirty water is drawn by the vacuum motor 60 up through the slot in the hood 32. During the initial dry cleaning operation, any dust developed is also drawn through the slot in the hood 30 and into the dirt compartment. The dirt is retained in the dirt compartment by the filter 64, and the machine may be periodically cleaned. Any water in the compartment may be drained by opening the plug 70.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the brush drive motor 130 is mounted inside the brush 30, and it has a shaft 132 which drives the brush in the illustrated manner. This mounting of the drive motor simpliiies to a large extent the drive of the brush, as compared with the arrangement shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, since it obviates any need for chains, sprockets, or the like.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 9, and the second embodiment includes a body assembly designated generally as 201. The body assembly is equipped with a hood cover 202 at the top, and a side access cover 203 on one side. The body assembly also int ludes a front access door 204 which permits access to a removable dirt iilter cartridge, as will be described.

The embodiment of FIG. 9 also includes a cylindrical shaped hood, or cowl 205 for the main rotary brush 207, which brush may be similar to the rotary brush 30 of the previous embodiment. As before, the hood 205 surrounds the brush 207, and it includes an internal duct -which denes a transverse slot at the forward end of the hood in front of the brush 207. A vacuum pressure is provided at the transverse slot through a pair of hoses 209 which are clamped to the body assembly 201 by suitable clamps 208, the slot being coupled to a vacuummotor through the hoses 209. The slot provides suction at the leading edge of the hood assembly as the brush 207 rotates. The slot has a width, for example, of 1A of an inch, and sufficient vacuum pressure is provided in the slot to draw all the dust, water and dirt scrubbed from the escalator by the brush 207 into the machine. The dust and dirt are drawn through the duct into an internal compartment in the body portion 201 by vacuum suction to be described.

A baflie 206 is provided in the dirt compartment of the machine of FIG. 9. When the machine is operating in a mode in which water and detergent are sprayed onto the escalator platform, the resulting dirty water drawn into the dirt compartment through the hoses 209 strikes the baflie 206 and falls to the bottom of the compartment. However, when the machine is in a mode in which dust is being swept from the escalator by the brush 207, the dust is drawn into the dirt compartment and passes around the baffle 206 into a removable filter cartridge 227 which, likewise, will be described.

Three auxiliary rotary brush assemblies and associated hoods, or cowls, such as the hood 210 are provided. These three auxiliary brush assemblies may, for example, each be of the order of three inches wide, and they are positioned at both ends of the main brush 207 and at the center. The auxiliary brushes serve to clean the portions of the escalator on each side of the main brush where it is difiicult for the main brush to reach, and also at the center, where the eiciency of the main brush is impeded by the drive to the brush, as best represented by FIG. 6, for example.

The auxiliary brush assemblies each include a rotary brush, such as the brush 212, and all are mounted on a common shaft 211 which, in turn, is rotatably mounted in the body assembly. An auxiliary vacuu-m hose, such as the hose 213, is provided for each of the auxiliary brush hoods 210. These latter hoses are coupled to ducts in the respective auxiliary hoods, and the ducts provide transverse slots at the leading edge of each of the auxiliary brushes. This enables dirt and dust scrubbed from the escalator by the auxiliary brush assemblies to be drawn into the dirt compartment in the body assembly 201. The auxiliary brush shaft 211 is driven by a -belt or chain 240 from a jack shaft assembly 215, the chain drive including an adjustable idler assembly 216.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 does not include the support feet 10 of the previous embodiment. The latter Imechanism is supported by a pair of wheels, such as the wheel 218, these being pivotally mounted on the body assembly 201 by an appropriate bracket 217. The mechanism also includes a swivel castor 219, which is pivotally mounted to the rear of the body assembly 201 on a castor bracket 220, the castor bracket being held in the assembly iby an appropriate nut 221.

A detergent tank 222 is mounted in the body assembly 201 to the rear thereof, as shown in FIG. 9. During the operation of the machine, the detergent tank 222 contains appropriate detergent and water, or other appropriate cleaning fluid. An electric motor 223 is supported in the body assembly 201 in front of the detergent tank 222, the motor being used to drive the lmain and auxiliary rotary brushes of the machine. The motor 223 may, for example, be a 3A horsepower, 1200 r.p.m. electric motor.

A Wheel retracting mechanism including a manually adjustable handle 224 is coupled to the bracket 217, so that the wheel 218 may be retracted adjustably, and may be locked at any position. The handle 224, for example, is turned until the wheel 218 assumes a selected position to adjust the brush 207 to the proper elevation with respect to the escalatorV properly to perform its cleaning function. The adjustment of the wheel retracting mechanism is carried out by means of an appropriate lead screw arrangement whereby locking of the wheels 218 at any selected angular position is automatically achieved. The wheel retracting mechanism includes a bearing 257.

An electrically operated detergent pump 225 is also mounted in the body assembly 201. The detergent pump serves to pump the detergent and water from the tank 222 to a spray nozzle 226 at the front of the machine, whenever it is desired for the machine to operate in a washing mode. As illustrated, the spray nozzle 226 is enclosed in an appropriate housing 227, so that the detergent spray is directed towards the escalator and is prevented lfrom spraying the surrounding area.

The vacuum motors 229 and 230 serve to draw the dust from the aforesaid dust compartment into the lter cartridge 227 when the diverter valve 231 is in the position shown by the dotted lines 233. However, when the mechanism is in the detergent mode of operation, the diverter valve 231 is placed in the position shown by the solid lines 233 so that the vacuum motors do not tend to draw the dirty water resulting from the washing operation during the detergent mode through the filter cartridge. Instead, the water strikes the baille 206 and collects at the bottom of the dirt compartment.

Appropriate filter seals 234 are provided for the filter cartridge and further seals 235 and 236 are also provided adjacent the vacuum motors 229 and 230. The hood 202 over the filter cartridge 227 may be latched to the body assembly by means of an appropriate latch 237. The detergent tank 222 may be supported on the bottom of the body assembly 201 by a felt pad 238.

The chain 240 of the chain drive assembly for the auxiliary brush shaft 211 extends over a sheave on the shaft 211, and over a sheave on the jack shaft assembly 215, and over the idler 216. The jack shaft assembly 215 is driven by a belt or chain 241 which extends around the sheave 239 on the drive shaft of the motor 223. A further chain 242 extends from the jack shaft 215 and around a sheave 256 on the drive shaft for the main brush 207 so as to provide a drive for the main brush 207. The main brush assembly is mounted in appropriate bearings covered by bearing support plates, such as the plate 254.

The detergent from the detergent tank 222 is drawn into the pump 225 through a line 244 and through appropriate couplings 243. The pressurized detergent and water -from the pump is pumped through a line 250 and appropriate couplings 247 to the spray nozzle 226.

The cylindrical hood cover for the rotary shaft 207 is suspended on a bracket 253, the hood being indicated as 251. The position of the hood cover is adjustable, so that it may at all times be closely positioned adjacent the peripheral surface of the brush 207, and maintained in that position as the brush 207 wears. The mechanism is equipped with an appropriate handle 258, by means of which the mechanism may be wheeled on the wheels 218 and castor 219 over the escalator platform.

In the operation of the lmachine of FIG. 9, the handle 224 is turned to retract the wheels 218, and to lower the main brush 207 and the auxiliary brushes 212 down on the escalator platform. The motor 223 is then energized, so as to activate the main and auxiliary rotary brushes. As mentioned above, the machine may be used without the detergent and water, during which the diverter valve 233 is placed in the dotted position, so that the dust may be drawn iby the vacuum motors 229 and 230 through the filter cartridge 227. The dust is drawn through the ducts in the main and auxiliary brush hoods by hoses, such as the hoses 209 and 213 into the inner dirt compartment of the body assembly and through the filter cartridge 227, with the dust and dirt collecting in the filter cartridge. The filter cartridge itself may be removed from time to time through the access door 204 to dispose of the collected dust therein.

When the detergent pump 22S is activated, water and detergent are sprayed through the nozzle 226 and down through the shielding bracket 227 onto the escalator platform. The rotary brush scrubbing action of the mechanism then causes dirty water to be drawn through the aforesaid duct and into the dirt compartment. During this latter operation, and in order to provide maximum suction through the ducts, the diverter valve 231 is moved to the solid line position 233 in FIG. 9. The dirty water, as mentioned above, is drawn into the dirt compartment during the latter operation and strikes against the baffle 206 and falls to the bottom of the dirt compartment, so that it may be subsequently drained.

The embodiment of FIGS. -14 is similar in some respects to the embodiment of FIG. 9, and like components have been designated by the same numbers.

In the latter embodiment, a rear jack assembly 300 is provided which includes a vertical shaft 302 rotatably supported in brackets 304 on the rear end of the assembly, and operated by a handle 306. Appropriate threads are provided, so that rotation of the handle 306 causes a pad 310 to be displaced downwardly, as the handle is turned in one direction. The jack forms a stable support for the apparatus when it is in place over the elevator platform, and when it is lowered, it effectively raises the castor 219 up from the supporting surface.

The embodiment of FIGS. 10-14 also has a feature in that the outer auxiliary brushes and cowls 212, 210 can be adjusted outwardly or inwardly in a transverse direction, so as to accommodate the machine to different widths of escalators. The control of the outer auxiliary cowls and brushes 210, 212 is best shown, for example, in FIG. 13. The outer cowls and brushes are supported on a pair of guides 350, and are movable along the guides. The outer auxiliary guide and brush assemblies are biased outwardly with respect to the central guide and brush assembly by means of a pair of springs 352 which are coiled about the operating shaft 211 of the auxiliary brush assemblies.

Each of the cowls 210 of the outer auxiliary assemblies is equipped with a pin 354, and a cord 356 has its extremities attached to the pins, and extends around a pair of pulleys 358, which are mounted on the frame of the apparatus. The bight portion of the cord 356 extends around a further pulley 360, the latter pulley being supported on a bracket 362. The bracket 362 moves back and forth in a slot 364 in the bottom of the body assembly 201, the bracket being threaded onto a lead screw 368. The lead screw 368 is rotatable in a further bracket 370 on the body assembly 201 and extends through a hole in the rear wall of the body assembly. The lead screw 368 is turned by a handle 370.

It will be appreciated that rotation of the handle 370 causes the bracket 362 to move back and forth, so that the cord 356 is pulled around the pulley 358 t0 move the outer auxiliary hood and brush assemblies 210, 212 inwardly against the spring bias of the springs 352. With this adjustment, the effective cleaning width of the apparatus may be controlled to accommodate a variety of escalator widths.

A plunger 400 (FIGS. l0 and 14) is provided on the side of the body assembly 201, and the plunger is coupled to the ends of the cartridge filter elements 227. The cartridge filter elements are mounted at one end on the internal bracket within the apparatus, and their left hand ends in FIG. 14, for example, are free. The filter elements 227 are supported by means, for example, of bolts 401 extending along the length of the individual filter elements and secured to the aforesaid bracket. The plunger 400 is coupled to the free ends of the filter elements by means of a strip 402. Whenever dust accumulates on the exterior of the filter elements, the bracket 400 may be slapped inwardly, so as to vibrate the filter elements and cause the dust to fall down to the bottom of the dust compartment, and thereby prevent clogging of the elements.

The embodiment of FIGS. 10-14 is also equipped with a brush 420 which is hinged to the forward edge of the main brush cowl 205. The brush 420 may be moved between its inoperative position, as shown in FIG. 10, and its operative position of FIG. 12 by means, for example, of a Wire 422 which is actuated by an appropriate control 424 at the rear of the unit. This brush may perform, for example, a preliminary sweeping action as the escalator platform moves towards the machine, so as to perform a preliminary sweeping operation, as mentioned above.

The hoods, or cowls, and associated brushes in the latter embodiment are easily detachable, for repair or replacement purposes. The brushes themselves may appropriately have the bristles attached thereto in a spiral manner, and may be formed with alternate rows of bristles of nylon and abrasive nylon for best results.

The invention provides, therefore, an improved machine which is simple and straightforward in its construction, which is easy to operate, and which is eflicient in its operation.

What is claimed is:

1. In an escalator cleaning machine adapted to be positioned over the moving platform of an escalator, said machine including: a frame; a plurality of wheels retractably mounted on said frame; a retracting mechanism coupled to said wheels for retracting said wheels and thereby lowering said frame to a desired elevation; the combination of: a brush assembly unit mounted on said frame and including at least one rotary main brush to engage the moving platform of the escalator in brushing engagement with the surface thereof; drive means coupled to said rotary main brush for imparting rotary movement thereto; a cowl mounted on said frame and forming a hood for said brush, said cowl forming a transverse slot adjacent said brush; vacuum pump means supported on said frame for establishing a vacuum pressure in said transverse slot; a housing mounted on said frame and forming a dirt receiving compartment; conduit means coupling said transverse slot formed by said cowl to the interior of said compartment, said cowl and brush assembly being pivotally mounted on said frame; and a control mechanism for selectively moving said rotary main brush down into a brushing position with respect to the moving platform of the escalator, said control mechanism including a crank arm pivotally mounted on said frame, a control arm coupled to one end of said crank arm, a connecting rod coupling the other end of said crank arm to said brush assembly, the other end of said crank arm having an adjustment slot therein for receiving one end of said connecting rod; and a slotted bracket on said cowl for receiving the other end of said connecting rod.

2. The combination defined in claim 1, in which said drive means for said brush includes an electric motor mounted internally of said brush.

3- In an escalator cleaning machine adapted to be positioned over the moving platform of an escalator, said machine including: a frame; a plurality of Wheels retractably mounted on said frame; a retracting mechanism coupled to said wheels for retracting said wheels and thereby lowering said frame to a desired elevation; the combination of: a brush assembly unit mounted on said frame and including at least one rotary main brush to engage the moving platform of the escalator in brushing engagement with the surface thereof; drive means coupled to said rotary main brush for imparting rotary movement thereto; a cowl mounted on said frame and forming a 5 hood for said brush, said cowl forming a transverse slot adjacent said brush; vacuum pump means supported on said frame for establishing a vacuum pressure in said transverse slot; a housing mounted on said frame and forming a dirt receiving compartment; conduit means coupling said transverse slot formed by said cowl to the interior of said compartment, and a pair of laterally movable auxiliary rotary brushes mounted on a common axis in tandem with the aforesaid main rotary brush, said auxiliary brushes extending laterally beyond each end of the aforesaid main rotary brush; means supporting said auxilary brushes on said frame for lateral movement of said auxiliary brushes with respect to said frame, and a control mechanism coupled to said auxiliary brushes for adjusting the lateral position thereof.

4. The combination deiined in claim 3, which includes a third auxiliary brush positioned on said common axis adjacent the center of the aforesaid main rotary brush. 5. The apparatus defined in claim 1, and which includes a transverse brush element mounted on the forward edge 25 of said cowl in hinged relation therewith, and means for adjusting the angular position of said transverse brush element.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ROBERT W. MICHELL, Primary Examiner U.S. C1. X.R. 

